Joan M. Mensch, 84, of The Alverno Health Care Facility, Clinton, IA, died Saturday, July 11, 2015, at The Alverno.
Joan was born January 25, 1931, in Charles City, IA, to William E. and Antina H. (Beekman) Dinkel. She was educated in the Charles City schools. She then attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated from Marycrest College in Davenport, IA. Joan married Darel G. “Gabby” Mensch on June 1, 1952, in Charles City. He died July 31, 2013. Joan taught in Floyd, IA, schools, Oskaloosa, IA, schools, and for 22 years in the Clinton Elementary Schools. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching the young children. Joan was a member of Fulton Presbyterian Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, elder, and member of many committees. She was also a PEO member, Lyceum Club member, and played 500 in a club. She loved to read, do crossword and jigsaw puzzles, play cards, and spend time with family and friends. She was also a member of the ISEA and NEA. Joan volunteered at Mercy Hospital in Clinton and at the windmill in Fulton, IL.
Survivors include three daughters, Jill (David) Cross of Long Island City, NY; Marla (Kurt) Kettler of Pella, IA; and Kathy (Jeff) Dyke of Morrison, IL; one son, Charles (Cindy) Mensch of Southampton, PA; nine grandchildren, Michael (Nicole) Cross, Amanda Cross, Jennifer (Martin) Schmidt, Jonathan (Jawnica) Kettler, Brian (Laura) Dyke, Alex Dyke, Zachary Dyke, Tyler Mensch, and Ashley Mensch; eight great-grandchildren, Toby, Lydia, Blythe, and Sophie Schmidt; Isaiah, Owen, and Samuel Kettler; Jackson Cross.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Darel; twin brothers Allen C. Dinkel and Albert Dinkel in infancy.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
OFFICIATING: Pastor Martin Schmidt, Pastor of The Bridge church in Ottumwa, IA
VISITATION: 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service, Tuesday, July 14, 2105, at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Fulton Township Cemetery, Fulton, IL
MEMORIALS: Fulton Presbyterian Church and The Alverno Health Care Facility